Officials at an uptown New York charter school on Wednesday refused to
back down from their controversial use of a padded cell to confine
problem students after a Daily News investigation exposed the practice
Tuesday.
Two young boys, 5 and 7, were repeatedly detained in the tiny,
so-called “calm-down room” at KIPP Star Washington Heights Elementary
School for acting up. The parents of both kids recently removed their
boys from the school, saying they suffered panic attacks from the
experience.

Despite opposition from angry parents, charter school officials said
Wednesday they would still put uncontrollable students into the
converted closet.

“We will review all situations on a case-by-case basis and continue to
obtain prior parental approval if the use of the calm-down room becomes
necessary to protect the safety of a child,” KIPP NYC Superintendent
Josh Zoia told the Daily News.
In an open letter to parents posted on the school’s website, Zoia said
“only a small handful of students have used the calm-down room and only
in emergency situations.”
But the parents of the two boys placed there say the practice should end.

“It’s not working,” said Teneka Hall, 28, a full-time Washington
Heights mom whose son, Xavier, was rushed to the hospital after he had a
panic attack and wet himself while in the room. “It’s hurting the
kids.”

Hurting the kids has always been the point at a "No Excuses!" charter school like KIPP where the entire structure of the school is built around breaking the will of the children, beating them into submission with rules, regulations and punishment, and finally remaking them into the compliant little "scholars" the KIPPsters want.

The padded cell for time outs fits right in with the KIPP philosophy of beat 'em til they're compliant.